by A Howell

Created on: April 23, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2008

Acid Reflux also known as Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is a condition in which the liquid content in the stomach backs into the esophagus. The regurgitated liquid is made up of acid and pepsin which are produced by the stomach. (Pepsin is an enzyme that begins the digestion of proteins in the stomach.) This liquid can damage the lining of the esophagus.

Acid Reflux is a chronic condition; once it begins it is usually life-long. With treatment the esophagus can heal but if medications and treatments are discontinued it may return in most patients within a month.

Common symptoms of GERD are heartburn, regurgitation, nausea, chest pain and difficulty swallowing. Factors that may contribute to it are fatty foods, cigarettes, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, obesity, and pregnancy.

Heart burn is a burning sensation throughout the stomach, chest and throat. It is most likely to occur after heavy lifting, bending over, and lying down (mostly on your back). Dyspepsia can cause pain in the upper abdomen, nausea after eating, and feeling full. Regurgitation is the feeling of acid backing up into the throat. Chest pain is least likely to occur in a person with acid reflux. If you are having chest pain, heart conditions should be differentiated with it.

Treatment for people with GERD consists of medication, like-style changes, and sometimes surgery.

Medications may help relieve the symptoms. Antacids neutralize the acid in the stomach so that there is no acid to reflux. The problem with antacids is that action is brief. They are emptied from the stomach in less than an hour. Histamine antagonists such as cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine, (Pepcid) are taken a half hour before you eat. They are good for reliving the symptoms but not at healing the inflammation in the esophagus. Proton pump inhibitor blocks the secretion of acid in the stomach. It helps relieve heartburn and protects the esophagus from acid so that esophageal inflammation can heal.

Life-style changes can also help the relief process of acid reflux. Try cutting out fatty and spicy food. Some other things are to stop smoking, limit alcohol and try routine daily exercising. Try eating smaller and earlier meals. It is more likely to have emptied from the stomach than is a larger one.

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